The Southern University Ag Center's Sustainable Agriculture Field Day and Farm Tour was a
huge success this year, with more than 70 people in attendance, three discussion sessions,
and six field tour stops.
Field Day participants gathered on Brian Gotreaux's farm in Scott, LA
(outside of Lafayette) on Saturday, April 23 for a day of learning and fun. The program
was planned and coordinated by Drs. Owusu Bandele and Chris Robichaux, County Agent Ron
Nicholas and cooperating farmer, Brian Gotreaux. The gathering was a good mix of SUAREC
faculty and staff, local farmers and gardeners. Highlights of the activities included
discussions and field tours.
Click here for the photo album.
The 2005 Agriculture Field day offered discussion sessions on tilapia production led by Dr.
John Hargreaves (LSU Ag Center), organic production and certification by Owusu Bandele, and
reflections of a certified organic grower by Gerd Oppenheum.
The field day also offered tours to the following stops:
- Tilapia greenhouse production - Brian Gotreaux
- Pastured Poultry - Dr. Jim McNitt
- Managing goat pathogens - Dr. Sebhatu Gebrelul and Teri Walsh
- Organic vegetable plots that were established by SUAREC - Dr. Owusu Bandele
- Drip irrigation - Dr. Yemane Ghebreiyessus
- Vertical growing systems - Dr. Kit Chin
The meal included tilapia from the Gotreaux farm and greens and strawberries
purchased from local small-scale growers.
The response from all who attended was truly phenomenal. The following are
excerpts from the evaluation sheets collected:
- "It was wonderful!"
- "Keep up the good work"
- "Good job. No negatives on the field day"
- "I enjoyed it all. Very nice"
- "Plenty of information. Everything was wonderful."
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